Life Changes

Life Changes

Bob and I  decided to go on a wee adventure this past Sat.  We put on a Christmas CD by Lady Antebellum --- on this winter's night.  We settled into the "gentle" drive ( as opposed to the hard drive on the Deerfoot) on the new Stoney Trail.  This new bypass is truly great and will even be greater when totally finished on the west side of the city++++that is a whole other story involving First Nations, etc.++++ sooooo oh yeah, we are travelling along enjoying the drive and the music and are really into the whole Christmas experience.   We are off to Cross Iron Mills-a very large outlet mall near Airdrie.  Upon our arrival we thought  "oh my, even Jingle Bells may not save us--huge line of traffic to get into the place, but we went ahead, found a parking spot, I am thinking only ticked off one person and they did seem much younger and therefore more able to continue on searching for a spot to park.  For as many people as there were in that mall, it was ok, didn't seem tightly crowded and so in high spirits off we set.  We had a super time.  We bought a number of things--lots of staff to help, the check out lines in the stores were very manageable and we had fun together.  Totally out of character for this couple, to be shopping on a Sat.and especially two weeks before Christmas, and totally enjoying it!!!!!!!!!!!  Must have been the music on the drive or..............

We are changing--must be slow learners.  This whole cancer scene is teaching us so very much.  Patience with situations and with each other.  Our normal, now, is what it is.  We live a slow paced lifestyle.  Even learning that Christmas gifts are not the be all and end all of the season.  Giving a gift is because we want to, because we love you, not the cost of it or even the importance of it in some one's life.  The giving is an expression of our love to others.  I am having a hard time putting these thoughts into words.  Probably you won't get a gift from us and yet we truly care about each of you and many of you are remembered and prayed for often.  God  gave His only Son to the world on that first Christmas  when Jesus came as a baby to live among man.  The giving of the gift of Jesus is God's expression of His love to each of us.  It matters not who we are, where we live or how wealthy we are.  Unlike us mere humans who cannot give gifts to everyone, God did, by giving us Jesus.

We are also content--at least most of the time.  We have peace about our lives and trust that God truly will continue to guide us and go before us as we continue to trust Him.  Perhaps we are in a situation that we know there is nothing we are able to do-- not turn back the clock,not  take a redo (I believe that is called a mulligan) or change things, so we need to carry on doing the best we are able in every area of our lives--physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually.  When we take out eyes off of Jesus and look around us at what others are able to do and have then that peace and Christmas joy can hit a sour note.  We are getting so much better at enjoying who we are, what we have and what we do.

These thoughts hopefully portray the Christmas joy that we have.

In less than three months the succulent sense that the cancer in Bob's body is under control has been blown out of the water.....splASH!!!!!

In spite of not seeing any new lesions in early Sept.  the blood work, well, still remaining in the low number range, doubled.  This made Dr. Bahlis decide that the maintenance dose was not enough to keep the cancer in check.  First of all Bob went back on the velcade every three weeks with one week off.  This still proved not to settle things down so this past Fri. the dreaded Dex. was added to the velcade.  The Dex is the anabolic steroid--no sleep, cramps, high blood sugar and added extra tiredness.  This lasts at its most ugly 2-3 days.  This is the path of multiple myeloma that we are on, being patient and understanding and doing the best we are able in all things.  Bob's dose is still in the lower ranges of what can be given.  Next week will be a better test of how he will feel as this past Wed. Bob also had the arridia infusion which always upsets his system for a few days.  This infusion helps to strengthen the bones.

That is the latest on Bob's health and what is happening. 

 Trusting that you have or will accept God's gift of Jesus this Christmas season.